MSc Clinical and Professional Pharmacy Practice (PG Cert, PG Dip)
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September, January
- Study mode:
- Part-time
- Course duration:
- 3 years
- Campus:
- City
Why study this course with LJMU?
Pharmacists across all sectors, including community pharmacy, primary and secondary care, and specialist services, require access to flexible post-registration education that supports both prescribing practice and advanced professional development. This has become even more important following legislation changes that have resulted in pharmacists being legally allowed to prescribe at the point of registration. This programme has been developed after consideration of stakeholder feedback and the changing roles of the pharmacist workforce.
This programme has been mapped to The Royal College of Pharmacy's Enhanced and Core advanced curricula and therefore will support pharmacists wishing to credential at these levels. The Research in Practice module (studied at the MSc stage) also helps pharmacists get started with the research domain of the Consultant Pharmacist curriculum.
About this course
The programme combines workplace-based learning with academic studies and is aligned with Royal College of Pharmacy (RCP) post-registration curricula.
This programme may be studied by pharmacists working in any sector of practice that involves a patient-focussed role. For the clinically-orientated modules, a patient-facing role is required.
This programme will enhance your knowledge of therapeutics, healthcare systems and national drivers for medicines optimisation. A multitude of other skills will be developed including communication (both written and oral), critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, teaching and research, further supporting the full range of curriculum domains outlined by the RCP. By promoting an understanding of the inter-disciplinary nature of healthcare, your appreciation of the problems encountered by other healthcare professionals will grow. The programme encourages a rigorous scientific approach to clinical pharmaceutical problems and the need to develop logical arguments, to enable you to optimise medicines for patients with complex problems and multiple co-morbidities. You will be able to promote and assess clinical pharmacy services and make evidence-based recommendations to benefit both your patients and place of work.
The PgCert stage aligns predominantly with the RCP post-registration Enhanced Curriculum and provides a common foundation in clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice, prescribing support, and professional development, ensuring all students develop the competencies expected of post-registration pharmacists, regardless of their sector of practice. The PgDip and MSc stages support pharmacists as they commence the RCP Post-registration Core Advanced Curriculum, by progressing into more complex clinical reasoning, leadership, service development, and advanced patient care. This staged curriculum structure provides clear developmental progression from enhanced to advanced practice and supports pharmacists seeking future professional credentialing through the RCP portfolio and credentialing process.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
You can choose between three options for your target award:
Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) – this consists of 60 academic credits and is normally completed over one year. The modules that contribute to this award are predominantly aligned tot he Royal College of Pharmacy's Enhanced Pharmacist Curriculum
Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) – this consists of 120 academic credits and is normally completed over two years. The modules studied in the second year of this programme are predominantly aligned to the Royal College of Pharmacy's Core Advanced Curriculum
Master of Science (MSc) – this consists of 180 credits and would take at least three years to complete. Students can choose between selecting the MSc as their initial target award or applying to ‘top up’ an existing PgDip at a later date
Each target award consists of core modules, with the MSc requiring completion of a 60 credit Research in Practice module. This module is normally completed over 12 months, during which time you will be expected to apply for ethics, conduct a literature review, collect and analyse your data and write up and submit your research article by month 11. To help you complete within this timeframe it is important to have a final research proposal and to have understood the necessary ethical approvals and prepared the necessary paperwork at the point of enrolment. Please contact Dr Kate Shemilt (k.shemilt@ljmu.ac.uk) to discuss your Masters’ research project idea so that she can provide guidance and support on your readiness to apply.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Fundamentals of Clinical Pharmacy and Prescribing in Practice
20 credits
20 credits
-
Medicines Optimisation and Person-centred Care
20 credits
20 credits
This module will facilitate the achievement of level 3 of the NHSE continuum of prescribing practice. Teaching and learning will be contextualised across NHS sectors, including secondary and tertiary care, primary and community pharmacy, and Health & Justice settings, enabling students to apply learning to their own area of practice.
Fundamentals of Leadership and Evaluative Practice
20 credits
20 credits
-
Core Principles of Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice
20 credits
20 credits
Teaching and learning will be contextualised across NHS sectors, including secondary and tertiary care, primary and community pharmacy, and Health & Justice settings, enabling students to apply learning to their own area of practice.
Leadership and Service Improvement
20 credits
20 credits
Teaching and learning will be contextualised across NHS sectors, including secondary and tertiary care, primary and community pharmacy, and Health & Justice settings, enabling students to apply learning to their own area of practice.
Education and Training in Healthcare
20 credits
20 credits
Teaching and learning will be contextualised across NHS sectors, including secondary and tertiary care, primary and community pharmacy, and Health & Justice settings, enabling students to apply learning to their own area of practice.
Research in Practice
60 credits
60 credits
-
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
The programme will be delivered using Active Blended Learning (ABL) in line with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) guidance. This approach has been selected to support the needs of postgraduate learners who are predominantly practising pharmacists balancing academic study with professional responsibilities.
ABL provides flexibility through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning activities, enabling students to engage with core content at a pace appropriate to their professional and personal commitments while maintaining regular opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and academic support.
Asynchronous learning activities will include directed reading, recorded lectures, case-based learning materials, and Canvas®-based activities designed to support preparation for live teaching sessions and consolidation of learning. Synchronous sessions will focus on the application of knowledge through clinical reasoning, problem-solving, discussion, debate, and peer learning. This supports the development of higher-order cognitive skills expected at postgraduate level and reflects the practice-based nature of pharmacy education.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
The programme places significant emphasis on formative assessment to support continuous learning, self-reflection, professional development, and early identification of learning needs. Formative assessment methods will include:
Canvas® quizzes used as diagnostic assessments to identify prior knowledge and learning needs, or as consolidation activities following asynchronous and synchronous learning activities
Discussion boards to facilitate ongoing engagement, peer discussion, and critical reflection following taught sessions
Structured opportunities to discuss plans for summative assessments with academic staff to support feedforward and improve assessment literacy
Supervised Learning Events (SLEs)
Summative assessment methods have been selected to reflect authentic professional practice and to assess achievement of programme learning outcomes in a valid and meaningful way. Assessments will include written reports, reflective accounts, case presentations, and oral examinations. Wherever possible, students will use examples drawn from their own area of professional practice to ensure assessment relevance and strengthen the integration of academic learning with workplace application.
This authentic assessment approach supports the development of critical thinking, clinical decision-making, professional judgement, and reflective practice, all of which are essential for advanced pharmacy practice and independent prescribing roles. A variety of assessment methods also promotes inclusivity by allowing students to demonstrate achievement through multiple formats rather than reliance on traditional written examinations alone.
Where you will study
University staff are based in the City Campus where you will find state-of-the art laboratories and teaching spaces. In terms of independent study support, the City Campus Library is located just minutes away on the Tithebarn Street. Some teaching is delivered in the Student Life Building (Copperas Hill).
Course tutors
After qualifying in 2000, Gareth started work as a hospital pharmacist. He completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy and then took up a split post as Specialist Pharmacist for Gastroenterology/Teacher Practitioner at LJMU. In 2007, Gareth moved into his current post, focusing on postgraduate pharmacy programmes. Recognising the need for continuing professional development, he qualified as an Independent Prescriber in 2009 and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2016. Gareth's research interests cover workplace-based learning and assessment and medicine optimisation.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per credit:
- £57
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
Accommodation
Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
- Part-time per credit:
- £101
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
Accommodation
Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of postgraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations such as the British Council and Chevening.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
MPharm or equivalent degree in pharmacy.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Students undertaking this programme are required to identify appropriate workplace-based supervision to facilitate completion of supervised learning events for modules 7301CPPHAR, 7302CPPHAR and 7304CPPHAR.
RPEL may be considered for those with relevant qualifications. Applicnats will need to provide a copy of their most recent assessment board transcript (detailing modules completed) and a copy of the relevant module or programme guide (to allow learning outcomes to be compared with this programme's outcomes) as part of their application.
International requirements
Specific country requirements
Registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Currently practising as a pharmacist in a patient-facing role.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Students undertaking this programme are required to identify appropriate workplace-based supervision to facilitate completion of supervised learning events for modules 7301CPPHAR, 7302CPPHAR and 7304CPPHAR.
RPEL may be considered for those with relevant qualifications. Applicnats will need to provide a copy of their most recent assessment board transcript (detailing modules completed) and a copy of the relevant module or programme guide (to allow learning outcomes to be compared with this programme's outcomes) as part of their application.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
You will need to complete our online application form and submit the supporting documents listed in this section. When completing this form, please note:
The level of entry is 'Postgraduate Taught'
Mode of study is 'Part time (EU/Home applicants only)'
You should then be able to find Clinical and Professional Pharmacy Practice (PgCert, PgDip or MSc) when browsing courses. Please ensure that you select the correct target award and corresponding entry date
For Current / Previous Qualifications, you only need to include details of your pharmacy degree and any other university qualifications that you have; details of GCSEs, A-levels or International Baccalaureate are not required
Your personal statement needs to reflect your suitability and aptitude for the programme. For the application to be accepted by the system, this section needs to be at least 3,000 characters long
You will need to upload or complete the following supporting documents:
Complete our supplementary application form
Upload certificate(s) for any degree level or postgraduate qualifications listed in your application
If applying for direct entry to the PgDip (year 2 entry) or MSc (top-up award):
Transcript from the Board of Examiners (or equivalent title), which lists the modules completed (and their academic credit rating) and mark(s) achieved
Copies of the module guides for the modules completed or programme guide, to allow the team to assess which modules on the programme can have accreditation of prior experience and learning granted
If English is not your first language
Details of the university level qualification that you have recently completed in English, or
A copy of a recent IELTS certificate
The Lead Pharmacist for Education (or equivalent) in your department to e-mail the following documents to pbs-office@ljmu.ac.uk:
A completed practice-based support and fees declaration form. Please note that this form has been designed to allow Trusts to submit one form for all their pharmacists applying for a particular cohort. Access details of the practice-based support required
A two-page summary CV from your practice-based pharmacist tutor
If your employer is paying all or part of your fee, a copy of the purchase order
NOTE: all documents need to be submitted by the application deadline listed on the website. Late submissions may be possible if the programme team are If there is to attach documents after this date, you will need to email them to the School office: PBS-Office@ljmu.ac.uk. Submitting these forms after the deadline can delay your registration and subsequent access to the virtual learning environment.
Application deadlines
The deadline for applications will be 23rd November 2026.
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